The History of Assistive Technologies

Before we talk about the future of assistive technology (ATs), we must first gain a better understanding of this topic in its historical context.

Assistive technologies include electronic and non-electronic devices; this means that ATs have technically been around since the beginning of human civilization. Creative individuals faced problems that were beyond our physical capabilities and used their wits for assistance.

For example, let’s say an ancient East African man loses his leg in unforeseen circumstances. He wouldn’t just hop on his leg for the rest of his life, but he would instead use a strong stick for support. This stick, or staff, would be considered assistive technology. A stronger example would be the prosthetic devices found in Egyptian mummies. Corpses were discovered with prosthetic toes attached to their feet.

The article, “The Geniuses Who Invented Prosthetic Limbs”, William Park writes, “The world’s earliest functional prosthetic body parts are thought to be two examples of artificial toes from Ancient Egypt … What makes them unique is their functionality. Early prostheses were mostly decorative, but these Egyptian toes are an early example of a true prosthetic device” (Park, 1).

Since ancient times, ATs have continued to evolve to match the needs created by our technological advancements (which are currently exponentially growing). We have so many new developments in this day and age that, as a result, causes disabled individuals to rely heavily on ATs to keep up with the rest of the world. Advancements such as computers, vehicles, and other electrical/mechanical inventions get rid of old problems but develop new requirements for societal adaptation.